Sienese or Bianchi Gate

Asciano was once accessible through five gates, of which only one remains today: Porta Senese, also known as "Porta dei Bianchi" due to its proximity to the holdings of this historic family. Reconstructed in modern times, the gate preserves at its top the ancient coats of arms that adorned it in medieval times. As in the past, it still welcomes travelers arriving from Siena along the Via Lauretana.

The current gate is the product of a modern reconstruction that significantly altered its original appearance; in medieval times, it was integrated within a quadrangular tower of the defensive circuit, which has since vanished. Despite its symbolic and historical value, the gate faced potential demolition in the 1800s to accommodate new urban demands of the time. Fortunately, the idea was abandoned, prioritizing the value of collective memory over modernization.

Looking up above the grand entrance arch, one can still see, carved in travertine, the remnants of a glorious past: on the left, the Sienese "balzana," in the center, the proud coat of arms of the community of Asciano, and on the right, that of the powerful Bandinelli family. Every traveler passing through this ancient gate is greeted by these emblems, sensing the strength and historical significance of a route that was, and remains, a symbol of local identity.